Nov. 17 - DEED Names Transit Improvement Areas

ST. PAUL – The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) has designated 53 areas near commuter rail, light rail and bus rapid transit stations in the Twin Cities as Transit Improvement Areas (TIAs).

TIA designation is the first step in an effort to encourage development of commercial, residential and mixed-use projects within a 0.5-mile radius of each transit station. The designation may boost local efforts to apply for federal funding that is available to support transit areas.

In order for an area to be designated as a TIA, local units of government had to submit a plan to DEED that outlined how redevelopment would enhance the effectiveness of public transit in the area and provide a safe, pedestrian-friendly environment.

“Developing property around transit stations is a good investment that will create jobs and revitalize our communities,” said DEED Commissioner Dan McElroy. “TIA designation is an important early step for ensuring that resources are available for making these areas around transit stations good places to live and work.”

The TIA program was established in legislation in 2008.

The following sites were designated as TIAs:

Northstar Commuter Rail
Riverdale Station, Coon Rapids
Anoka Station, Anoka
Elk River Station, Elk River
Big Lake Station, Big Lake

Hiawatha Light Rail
Target Field Station, Minneapolis
Warehouse District Station, Minneapolis
Nicollet Mall Station, Minneapolis
Government Center Station, Minneapolis
Downtown East/Metrodome Station, Minneapolis
Cedar-Riverside Station, Minneapolis
Franklin Avenue Station, Minneapolis
Lake Street Station, Minneapolis
38^th Street Station, Minneapolis
46^th Street Station, Minneapolis
50^th Street Station, Minneapolis
VA Medical Center Station, Minneapolis
Fort Snelling Station, Hennepin County
American Boulevard Station, Bloomington
Central Station, Bloomington
28^th Avenue Station, Bloomington
Mall of America Station, Bloomington

Cedar Avenue Bus Rapid Transit
Cedar Grove Station, Eagan
Apple Valley Station, Apple Valley
Cedar Park and Ride Station, Lakeville

I-35W Bus Rapid Transit
Penn and American Station, Bloomington

Central Corridor Light Rail
West Bank Station, Minneapolis
East Bank Station, Minneapolis
Stadium Village Station, Minneapolis
29^th Avenue Station, Minneapolis
Westgate Station, St. Paul
Raymond Avenue Station, St. Paul
Fairview Station, St. Paul
Snelling Avenue Station, St. Paul
Hamline Station, St. Paul
Lexington Parkway Station, St. Paul
Victoria Street Station, St. Paul
Dale Street Station, St. Paul
Western Avenue Station, St. Paul
Rice Street Station, St. Paul
10^th Street Station, St. Paul
Central Station, St. Paul
Union Depot Station, St. Paul

Southwest Light Rail
Royalston Station, Minneapolis
Van White Station, Minneapolis
Penn Station, Minneapolis
West Lake Station, Minneapolis
Beltline Station, St. Louis Park
Wooddale Station, St. Louis Park
Louisiana Station, St. Louis Park
Blake Road Station, Hopkins
Downtown Hopkins Station, Hopkins
Shady Oak Station, Hopkins and Minnetonka
Opus Station, Minnetonka

Further details on TIAs are available at http://tinyurl.com/TIAsites or by contacting Meredith Udoibok at 651-259-7454, meredith.udoibok@state.mn.us.

DEED is the state’s principal economic development agency, promoting business recruitment, expansion and retention, workforce development, international trade and community development. For more details about the agency and our services, visit us at www.PositivelyMinnesota.com. Follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/PositivelyMN.

Upon request, the information in this news release can be made available in alternative formats by contacting the DEED Communications Office at 651-259-7161.

Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development
Communications Office
Phone 651/259-7161 or 1-800-657-3858 ∙ TTY 1-800-657-3973
www.PositivelyMinnesota.com
An equal opportunity employer and service provider.